Volume I Part 4 (2/2)

Frozen and dead, Perchance upon some bleak and stormy sh.o.r.e.

Oh doubting heart!

Far over purple seas, They wait, in sunny ease, The balmy southern breeze, To bring them to their northern homes once more.

Why must the flowers die?

Prisoned they lie In the cold tomb, heedless of tears or rain.

Oh doubting heart!

They only sleep below The soft white ermine snow, While winter winds shall blow, To breathe and smile upon you soon again.

The sun has hid its rays These many days; Will dreary hours never leave the earth?

Oh doubting heart!

The stormy clouds on high Veil the same sunny sky, That soon (for spring is nigh) Shall wake the summer into golden mirth.

Fair hope is dead, and light Is quenched in night.

What sound can break the silence of despair?

Oh doubting heart!

Thy sky is overcast, Yet stars shall rise at last, Brighter for darkness past, And angels' silver voices stir the air.

VERSE: A STUDENT

Over an ancient scroll I bent, Steeping my soul in wise content, Nor paused a moment, save to chide A low voice whispering at my side.

I wove beneath the stars' pale s.h.i.+ne A dream, half human, half divine; And shook off (not to break the charm) A little hand laid on my arm.

I read; until my heart would glow With the great deeds of long ago; Nor heard, while with those mighty dead, Pa.s.s to and fro a faltering tread.

On the old theme I pondered long-- The struggle between right and wrong; I could not check such visions high, To soothe a little quivering sigh.

I tried to solve the problem--Life; Dreaming of that mysterious strife, How could I leave such reasonings wise, To answer two blue pleading eyes?

I strove how best to give, and when, My blood to save my fellow-men-- How could I turn aside, to look At snowdrops laid upon my book?

Now Time has fled--the world is strange, Something there is of pain and change; My books lie closed upon the shelf; I miss the old heart in myself.

I miss the sunbeams in my room-- It was not always wrapped in gloom: I miss my dreams--they fade so fast, Or flit into some trivial past.

The great stream of the world goes by; None care, or heed, or question, why I, the lone student, cannot raise My voice or hand as in old days.

<script>